Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c47.s2.25

v4.c47.s2.25

The first capture of Ajmer by the Marathas (in February 1755) had been accompanied by a tragedy: the wife and children of the commandant (qiladār) slew themselves in fear of disgrace. A second tragedy attended the second transfer of this historical fort to Maratha hands (in March 1791): Rajah Bijay Singh had entrusted Ajmer to Dumrāj, a Rajput Jain (Oswāl), who had vowed at the time never to yield his charge to an enemy so long as he lived. When, therefore, the Rajah’s order for the surrender of Ajmer to Sindhia arrived, Dumrāj chose the only possible way of resolving the conflict between his duty as a servant and his duty as a man of honour, and it was over his self-slain body that the Marathas entered the gate of Ajmer. (Tod, ii. Marwar, ch. 13. R. Tagore’s exquisite ballad.)